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Our family law attorneys have helped hundreds of families get through difficult times. Don't take our word for it, read testimonials from our past clients to get an idea of how we can help your family get through this difficult time.

“Molly and her staff supported me completely through a drawn out divorce. My ex and his lawyer did everything they could to bleed me dry and drag the proceedings out. Molly is extremely compassionate and professional. I highly recommend her.”

Molly is rated AV - the highest possible rating- by her peers through the Martindale and Hubble rating process and has been recognized as a Superb Family Law attorney and Client's Choice 2012 by Avvo.com.

Molly has also been named by Seattle Met Magazine as one of Seattle's top family law attorneys.

Stacey Smythe has over 24 years of experience in representing Northwest clients in cases ranging from divorce (amicable and high-conflict), modifications, child custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence. Additionally I have experience to provide counsel in drafting Wills, Complete Estate Planning consultation and Probate Administration.

Monica Rands-Preuss is licensed both in California and Washington. She has been practicing family law since 1994. Monica has years of experience working with families in transition. She believes that since all families are unique, their solutions should be too.

When two people decide their marriage isn’t working and want to divorce, their decision may be especially challenging and difficult if they have children. Many parents worry that a divorce will negatively impact their kids, and some wonder if it’s more prudent to wait until the children are older with, perhaps, better coping skills to handle the change. Others parents may wonder if they should make the break as soon as possible.

Choosing the Right Time to Divorce

In general, there isn’t one correct time to file for divorce. Life situations are unique, and what works for one family may not meet the needs of another. However, here are a few guidelines and tips to help you make the determination for when to divorce:

Domestic violence and abusive situations. One of the most challenging home environments is one where there is violence or the threat of violence. If you face that situation in your home, you have a compelling reason to leave quickly and get your children away from the danger. The risk of mental trauma from a divorce is far outweighed by the mental and physical risks of abuse. Get out and get help.

High-tension relationships. If your marriage has become a shouting match, and yelling has become your mode of conversation, it may be best to move ahead with a divorce. The stress and fear caused by living in a household that has devolved into this type of communication isn’t healthy for anyone, adult or child.

There are other times when the decision might be a little more difficult to make. When you’re in a relationship that just isn’t fulfilling the needs of one or both partners, but there isn’t really ongoing tension, here are some mitigating factors for you to consider, especially if your relationship is still amicable:

How a divorce affects young children. Very young children thrive best with a lot of care and attention, both physically and emotionally. If you have little ones that haven’t reached school age yet, consider how being a single parent could take away quality time during these key formative years. You may lose income in the divorce, requiring you to work longer hours to support your new household; that can leave less time for the bonding rituals that you and your child have come to enjoy.

How a divorce affects adolescents. The “tween” years can be rough on kids, even with the most stable family support structure. As the minds and bodies of children prepare for the transition away from childhood, this can be in a particularly vulnerable time in their lives. If your relationship with your spouse has cooled off but is still amicable, it may be worth thinking about waiting a little bit to see your child through this age of transition.

Ultimately, you are the best judge of your situation, and no single article or source of advice is going to have the “right” answer for you. The right time for you to divorce is going to be when you feel that your home environment is no longer happy, healthy, or safe for you or your children to thrive and grow in.

Get Help With Your Divorce

If you’re ready to divorce, having a support system to stand behind you can help. That may mean relying on the help of family, close friends, and excellent legal representation to get you through.

At the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny, we help people in tough divorce situations just like yours every day. When you’re ready to speak to a legal professional who can help you through every step of the divorce process, please call us to arrange a private consultation in our Bellevue offices at (425) 460-0550.

Molly B. Kenny's Bellevue family law office is conveniently located on Lake Bellevue Drive, making it easily accessible to those in the greater Seattle area. Our divorce and child custody lawyers help men and women get the information, guidance, and compassionate representation they need.